The Penn's Grove record., 1887-01-01

which he was returning from Europe
went down at sea. John Marchhare
was picked up by one the boats, cling
ing to a little girl, whose life he had
saved, while her relatives and all who
knew her were among the lost.
From the little stranger thus thrown
upon his care he did not turn away.
She was too young to give any account.
of her parents or family, and all suisse
buent efforts to discover her kindred or
whence she came proving fruitless, John
Marckhare adopted her and took her to
his home and heart.
Having neither wife nor child, he felt
free to do as he would with his fortune,
and it pleased him that it should go to
his adopted daughter-"provided, so
his will ran, ''that if my said adopted
daughter shall marrydDIilg the lifetime,
of my brother, Ebeu Marchhare, whom l.
hereby constitute her guardian, without.
the approval of my said brother, then
the foregoing requests shall become
void, and my whole estate shall go to
my said brother"
George Preston had not waited for
the publication Of John Marchhare's
will as the signal for falling in love with
Alice, as several others bad done in
spite Of her beauty. The truth is. he
had been in that state as far back as he
could remember, And Alice hao ell
ways liked George.
But when George Preston asked EDen
Marchhare's permission to tender his.
hand to Alice, the old gentleman sh,ok
his head.
"IIaoe you a home to offer her?' he
asked. cor means to support her?' he
added, before George, in his confusipn,
could find an answer"
PERHAPS" LIE continued, ''perlEps
you think Alice's fortune sufficient for
both. Now, whether she shall have
one or not"
sit is a question 1 have never stopped
to ask, - broke in George Indignantly.
"Whether she shall have q fortune or
not" said Nh. Marchhare, ''depends on
her not marrying in my lifetime in OPP
position to my wishes, and L shall GER
tainly never wish to see her welded TO
a man willing to be dependent on the
bounty Of his wife
"You must mistake me-" CT led
George, with a flushed face, "if Ho,
rank me in that class. L have strength
and energy
s'But as yet they are untried," said
Alice's guardian, without waiting Tor
him to finish. ST am willing to uit
you to the test, however, Return in
three years the possessor of 5000,
saved from your W earnings, and if
Alice then consents to hear your offer |
shall not oppose it,"
Georges face frightened. A mud
severer ordeal would not have daunttl
him. And, when he took his leave III
Alice, though there was no formk
plighting of troth between them, he Id
no misgiying lest the end of three yeah
should not find her faithfully waitiIE
his return.
X 4 IN
The allotted time had nearly gone u
before George had succeeded in laying
up the sum which entitled him to all
pear and claim Of Mr.. Marchhare thu
fulfllment of his promise.
At a railway station he vent INTO The
refreshment room for supper. He had
not half finished the scanty repast when
the sound of the whistle and the cry of
"All aboardl" caused a general com,
motion and rush for the train. George
caught up his oyercoat and followed
the rest.
On reaching his destination he was
about to draw on lis oTercoat when he
discovered that the garment he had
brought from the supper-room was not
his 9n. 1t was similar in color asId
osaterial, but the attempt to put il on
at once revealed the difference. He
wSs thunderstruck at the discovery. pn
a aecret pocket of his own coat was tle
treasure whAch had cost him three years
of anxious toll, and which represented
many precious hopes.
He wildly ran about among the dis
persing passengers, looking sharply at
every man he met as though expecting
to find upon him the object of lns
search. But all in vain.
With a vague purpose Of advertising
everywhere and telegrapling in all di-
reetions, he was hurrying rapidly along,
when whom should he meet but Mr..
Marchhare.
Georges first greeting was TO bllrt
out his loss.
II am very sorry.n said the old gen.
| tleman, grayely, but You know my
| conditions, and, with respect to tIeir
ifulillment, 1t seems you are just where
lyon started"
"But / was ready TO fulfill them, y
Exclaimed George, sand it is not my
fault that / have met with this uneX-
| pected loss"
"No; it is your misfortune"
"Give me but anot er chance! , cred
George. Il can earn double as much in
the same time. | will work night and
day to do it.n
your time is up to. day." said Mr
Marchhare. "And / have promised
my old fSend, Wells in the event of youl
failure, that his son, Lawrence, maj
pay his addresses to Alice tomorrow
The young mar is somewhat of a fop
and | doubt if Alice will listen to hp
suit. Still, my word is passed. All
here Ae eomes-shall l introduce you?i
'Stwop thief SVwop thief" shouted
a fashy-looking youth, rushing forward
and seizing George by the collar.
"What do you meanl' exclaimed
George. dashing aside the hand i
rudely laid upon him.
"What is the matter, Lawrencef
asked Mr.. Marchhare, astonished at tlk
proceeding.
"Mattah? Mattah enough, | shOuk
sayl Why, that's the fellah that stwol
my ewoat; there it is on his arm"
"Come come, " %interpoSed Mr.. March
hare, mistakes will happen sems-
times.n
Mistwake I" sneered Lawrence
Wells; IA vewy likely mistake, seeing
mines the best cwoat, and his is mon
than a yeah behind the fwashion. I'm
almost ashamed to be sScen in it'll an
upon my swoull But I'll have salts
faction-Im call the police"
After a quick glance at the youns
mans apparel, George flung aside thi
coat on his arm, and, placing a hand OF
each of the dandy's shoulders, got hin.
out of the one he had on in a name
more expeditions than gentle. HastiI5
examining the secret pocket, Georg,
found the money safe, and Lawrenc,
Wells was convinced that there hat